Postal envelope with multiple overlapped sections with antitheft fasteners suitable to contain two or three-dimensional objects

ABSTRACT

A postal packet is provided with multiple functions in so far as it is made up of multiple compartments set on top of one another that enable, through purposely provided anti-effraction tear-open closing systems, two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional objects to be contained in the various housing levels. The anti-effraction system is characterized by a separation of the various housings present within each compartment that does not enable objects inserted therein to be taken out unless in the case where the addressee opens it by tearing open the individual leaves. Furthermore, the postal packet, which may have various shapes, owing to its particular conformation and given the possibility of using individually each element thereof, enables creation of advertising coupons, visiting cards, or any product of visual communication.

The present invention relates to the sector of design and manufacture of paper and cardboard products and in particular regards a multifunction postal packet, characterized by multiple compartments set on top of one another that enable, through purposely provided tear-open closing systems, housing, in the various housing levels, of two-dimensional objects and/or small three-dimensional objects.

As is known to persons skilled in the sector, one of the critical aspects that are encountered in sending postal packets, also through the mailing system, is inherent in the ease with which these may be tampered with, above all when they contain more or less confidential information of any kind.

Several attempts have been made to overcome the aforesaid critical aspects by producing packets with more or less effective security systems, which have not, however, led to the desired results and above all present the intrinsic limit of having just one compartment for housing the products, with consequent security system limited to just one level and with a limitation also in terms of use of the elements that make them up, on account of their shape.

The above limit does not enable, for example, insertion of a number of objects, separated from one another, in one and the same postal packet, with the logical consequence that once the first protection has been overcome, the entire contents of the packet can be removed easily.

The present invention overcomes all the critical aspects highlighted since security is guaranteed by the anti-effraction tear-open closing system for each individual housing with, moreover, the possibility of re-using all the parts of the packet according to the invention, given their conformation, not only for putting objects back in, but also for other purposes, amongst which, purely by way of example, advertising and commercial purposes.

The present invention will now be described, by way of illustration, according to different preferred embodiments which are not to be understood as in any limiting the scope thereof, with particular reference to the attached drawings, it being understood that all the embodiments used, without prejudice to their operation, may vary as regards dimensions, numbers, and shape, without this possibly limiting the scope of the present invention. In the plates of drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the closed packet;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the same packet;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the packet with leaves closed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of the postal packet with non-detachable leaves open;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the postal packet with non-detachable leaves open;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the postal packet with leaves open and detached along the tear line;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the postal packet, in a possible embodiment, with detachable leaves, folded in two along the central tear line;

FIG. 8 shows in detail two leaves detached from the postal packet;

FIG. 9 is a perspective front view of the postal packet with some of the open leaves that are not detachable and some of the open leaves that are detachable;

FIG. 10 shows a possible embodiment of the postal packet with the base of the open and detachable leaves set along the perimetral line of the card;

FIG. 11 shows a possible embodiment of the postal packet with the base of the open and non-detachable leaves set along the perimetral line of the card;

FIG. 12 shows a possible embodiment of the postal packet with the detachable open leaves set along the perimetral line of the card, folded in two along the central tear line;

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a possible embodiment of the postal packet with card and detachable and folded leaves having a square shape; and

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a possible embodiment of the postal packet with card and detachable leaves having a circular shape.

With reference to the figures, as represented, it may be noted that the postal packet forming the subject of the present invention, merely by way of example, has a rectangular shape and is made up of a card (or equivalent materials), which functions as base (A), set on top of which, according to the needs, are one or more cards (B, C, and D) provided with purposely provided tear-open leaves (E, F, G).

The cards (containing the tear-open leaves), once set on top of one another, enable creation of various sealed housings within which it is possible to insert two-dimensional objects or small three-dimensional objects (H), such as coupons, brochures, CDs, USB pendrives, electronic cards, etc.

According to a characteristic of the invention, each card (B, C, D), excluding the one that functions as base (A), is fixed, all along its perimeter (7, 8, and 9), to the previous one (A on B, B on C, C on D), whereas present in the central part is a perforated line that creates a leaf (E, F, and G) of variable size and shape, which once torn along the tear-open line (1), enables access to the underlying housing and removal of the contents (H) thereof.

Each leaf (E, F, G) is, in fact, characterized by a contour tear line (1) that enables complete detachment thereof from the card on which it is provided (B, C, D), in the case where also the base is provided with a purposely provided tear line (10).

In an alternative embodiment, the leaf (E, F, G) may have a base (3) not provided with tear line, and consequently the leaf, even if it is open, cannot be separated from the packet.

Each leaf (E, F, G), in addition to having a contour tear line (1), has a purposely provided tab (4), with the tear line having perforation stretches slightly longer than those of the tear line of the leaf (2), which enable the user, once the tab has been raised, to tear it easily without tearing either the leaf itself or much less the card (B, C, D).

Through separation of the various housings with the modalities described above, the objects (H) housed in each compartment will not be able to come out in any way from the packet unless each individual leaf (E, F, G) is torn open along the line that, starting from the tab (4), follows the entire tear line (1).

In the rear part of the card used as base (A), there is the space for entering the data of the addressee (6) as well as for stamping (5). These data may of course be entered also in the front part of the packet according to the invention.

According to an improved embodiment of the packet, after a first object (H) is positioned on the base card (A), a second card (E, characterized by the leaf (E), is set on top of and attached thereon, using any technique, so as to close the product/object (H), preventing it from coming out. The same procedure is followed without any limit to the number of cards, in order to create either some of or all of the subsequent housings (e.g., cards C and D with leaves F and G), which may in any case have various shapes and sizes.

To be able to remove the products (H) present in the packet according to the invention, the user will pull the tab (4) of the leaf (G) present on the first card (D) so as to be able to access, each time, the underlying compartments.

In this way, only and exclusively the addressee of the packet is allowed to acquire the contents thereof, any sign of effraction present along the tear line (1) carried out by a third party being immediately visible.

According to a possible different embodiment, the leaves may have, as represented in FIGS. 7 and 9, various shapes (12 and 13), characterized by further tear lines (11), which enable, by way of example, creation of advertising coupons, visiting cards, or any product of visual communication that may be used even independently.

The packet according to the present invention, which has been represented in a preferred rectangular shape, may assume an extremely wide range of shapes, some of which are represented, merely by way of non-exhaustive example, in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 and with the base of the leaf positioned along the perimeter of the cards (FIG. 10).

The invention has consequently been described in relation to its functions by way of non-limiting illustration, and it is consequently to be understood that modifications and/or variations may be made, without thereby departing from the sphere of protection as defined in the ensuing claims. 

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A multifunction postal packet made up multiple housings of set on top of one another, which enable, through purposely provided anti-effraction tear-open closing systems, housing, in the various housing levels, of two-dimensional objects and/or three-dimensional objects, said postal packet comprising: a first card, which functions as base (A) set on top of which, via fixing along all their perimeter (7, 8 and 9), are two or more cards (B, C, and D), without any limit to the number thereof, which create between them (D on C, C on B, and B on A) individual housings for housing one or more two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional objects (H); said number of cards (B, C, and D) set on top of the first card (A), having in the central part a tear line (1 designed to create a leaf (E, F, and G), of variable size and shape, which, once torn enables access to the underlying housing and removal of the contents (H) that may be present in each housing.
 7. The multifunction postal packet according to claim 6, wherein the number of cards (B, C, and D) set on top of the first card (A), in the central part or on only one of the sides, have a base (3) not provided with a tear line, and consequently the leaf, even if it is open, cannot be separated from the packet.
 8. The multifunction postal packet according to claim 6, wherein the number of cards having detachable leaves is provided with a purposely designed tab (4), outlined by a line with perforation stretching longer than those of line of the leaf (2), which enable the user, once the tab has been raised, to tear it easily without tearing either the leaf itself or much less the card (B, C, D).
 9. The multifunction postal packet according to claim 6, wherein on the card used as base (A), in the rear part, there is a space for entering the data of the addressee (6) as well as for stamping (5), these elements possibly being located also in the front part of the packet.
 10. The multifunction postal packet according to claim 8, with anti-effraction system, characterized by a separation of the various housings present within each compartment that does not allow the objects inserted in the packet to be taken out in any way except by opening each individual leaf (E, F, G) by tearing it, starting from the tab (4), along the entire tear line (1).
 11. The multifunction postal packet according to claim 10, wherein the leaves have further tear lines (11) that enable creation of advertising coupons, visiting cards, or any product of visual communication that may be used even independently.
 12. The multifunction postal packet according to claim 6, made of cardboard, paperboard, or equivalent materials.
 13. The multifunction postal packet according to claim 6, with anti-effraction system, characterized by a separation of the various housings present within each compartment that does not allow the objects inserted in the packet to be taken out in any way except by opening each individual leaf (E, F, G) by tearing it, starting from the tab (4), along the entire tear line (1). 